30th Anniversary

Sri MGR Year 100, 24th December, Sunday

Time flies so fast. I can’t believe that our beloved Leader Puratchi Thalaivar MGR had breathed his last 30 years back. Remembering the God of the Poor, it was early morning when my brother broke the news that MGR had died.

I came out to see how the people are taking up the news. There is no vehicle plying over the highway my father was getting ready for morning shift (as he was a Government servant) I looked at my neighbor who was a staunch Puratchi Thalaivar fan. He was dumbstruck and speechless for several minutes that is all I saw. Outside some of the miscreants started to throw stones and ransacked the shops nearby. You may think what I was feeling? no I did not have any sadness because I was not a MGR fan those days. Now I think it was God’s will if I was MGR fan then, I might had lost my senses.

Sri MGR.com team always remembers him for his service to humanity, we miss him and always feel he will be back one day.

Tamils’ First Space Movie

Sri MGR Year 100, 10th December Sunday

In Tamil Cinema, science fiction movies are seldom tried. 2 generations back talking about science fiction based stories are termed nerdy, and our way of living those days saw movies based on the day to day life of a simpleton. And the film technology was in nascent stage, never able to compete with standards set by Hollywood.

Earth man (MGR) fighting with an alien villain (Nambiyar)

But they tried. Many of MGR fans had the information that our Puratchi Thalaivar movie was first to try such a theme. In 1963, Kalai Arasi was released. MGR acted in dual role one an Earth man and another an alien. The movie has many technical shots and breathtaking miniatures effects.

In Daily Thanthi yesterday paper they have written an article about a new movie starring Jayam Ravi titled Tik Tik Tik, a science fiction space thriller that is going to be released soon. In that article the writer has mentioned that Jayam Ravi movie is not the first of its kind as earlier a MGR movie had space theme in Kalai Arasi. The full article is given below, click the below image to expand.

MGR–A Film On Makkal Thilagam

Sri MGR Year 100, November 26th Sunday

2017 is the centenary year of beloved Leader Puratchi Thalaivar MGR, MGR fan clubs, associations and as well as the Government are celebrating in grand manner.

Recently I happened to see an ad in Daily Thanthi that a new movie on the life story of MGR is going to be produced by Ramana Communications who had already produced life of Kamaraj movie.

The ad placed in the Tamil Newspaper

I also saw that the shooting was held and the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi Palanisamy presiding the function. The movie is been directed by A.Balakrishnan and for the first short Satish Kumar acted as MGR.

Let us go back a few years many have started the project for small screen and as well as for big screen. Do you remember Idhayam Pesugirathu Manian presented MGR life story in Sun TV which telecasted couple of episodes and I don’t know what happened to the remaining episodes.

Photo courtesy kalakalcinema website

Let us pray that this movie satisfy MGR fans, general public and gets released without any hurdles.

48th International Film Festival

Sri MGR Year 100, 18th November, Saturday

The 48th International Film festival  of India is going to held in Goa this year. The International Film Festival of India with patronage by the then Prime Minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru and Films Division organised first festival in 1952. Now around 100 countries have submitted their films for the festival.

Divya Films Chockalingam who have digitized Padmini Pictures and our beloved Leader Puratchi Thalaivar starrer MGR movie Ayirathil Oruvan has been selected to be screened on the occasion, the Government of India invited him to be a special invitee and as a special invitee Mr.Chockalingam has to attend and screen the digitized version and block buster movie Ayirathil Oruvan in IFFI.

Below you can find the images of the letter and invitation from the concerned authorities. The images are shared by Divya Films Chockalingam sir. We thank him for allowing us to use the images in our MGR blog.

His correspondence with me:

20-11-17 அன்று கோவாவில் தொடங்க உள்ள (International Film Festival of India)  48வது உலக திரைப்பட விழாவில் புரட்சி தலைவரும் புரட்சி தலைவியும் நடித்த "ஆயிரத்தில் ஒருவன்"திரைப்படம் பங்குபெற தேர்வாகியுள்ளது.

அதனை Digitalல் வடிவமைத்தவன் என்ற முறையில் எனக்கு விமான டிக்கட், மற்றும் நட்சத்திர அந்தஸ்த்து விடுதியில் உபசரிப்பு  போன்றவைகளுடன் விழாவில் கலந்து கொள்ள சிறப்பு அழைப்பாளராக மத்திய அரசு அழைப்பு  அனுப்பியுள்ளது, எங்கள்  முயற்சிக்கு கிடைத்த மாமரியாதை என பூரிப்படைகிறேன்.

   இதனை எற்பாடு    செய்த IFFI, NFDC Govt of India, மற்றும் SIFCC அனைவர்க்கும் எனது பணிவான நன்றியினை தெறிவித்துக்கொள்கிறேன். மற்றும் 1965ல் ஆயிரத்தில் ஒருவன் -ஐ படைத்த இயக்குனர் B.R. பந்துலு ஐயா அவர்களுக்கு இது எமது சமர்ப்பணம் .

We srimgr.com team wish him all success.

Humanitarian Deeds

Sri MGR Year 100, 6th November, Monday

For the past one week our state has witnessed enormous downpour of rain due to North East monsoon, we have to thank the compassion and mercy of mother nature.

Our Puratchi Thalaivar MGR thoughts and deeds towards the poor and  needy is more or like mother nature. MGR’s affinity to help others have been recorded by many. His sympathetic assistance are uncountable. Below are some that I like to add.

1. MGR’s golden heart towards his employee, an electrician working in Sathya Studios. (inlcuded MGR’s letter to the Chairman, Housing Board)

 

2. The then Chief Ministers and fans of MGR.

3. Villain actor R.M.Sethupathi’s mocking dialogues and MGR’s reply.

The above article was published in Kalaimagal Diwali edition, narrated by MGR’s bodyguard K.P.Ramakrishnan and written by Govindaraj, who has sent this to share with our MGR blog.

A Man Who Lives In The Heart

Sri MGR Year 100, 22nd October, Sunday

Billions of people have lived in this planet, of these only thousands are remembered to this day. We are proud to say that we are MGR fans because our beloved Puratchi Thalaivar MGR is one in that thousand. MGR gained that status not only as an actor but through his philanthropy. 

A brief example of MGR's philanthropy and benevolence is narrated beautifully. MGR was in the shooting of Meenava Nanban and the incident of MGR's helping hand towards 20 hard workers who toiled in the forest of Udipi. The article appeared in Dina Malar and shared with us by MGR's bodyguard K.P.Ramakrishnan's son R.Govindaraj for our blog.

The song scene from Meenava Nanban.

Vinyl Records

Sri MGR Year 100, 14th October, Saturday

How many of us had the collection of MGR songs in cassettes, this question is bit awkward when asked today.  As the cassettes have become obsolete, the place was taken over by the arrival of Compact Discs in mid 1990's. Passage of time and innovative ideas, CD audio format changed to mp3. Now everybody carries all of MGR movie songs in their mobile phones. 

I had a good collection of cassettes not only of MGR songs but also MGR speeches the one I tried my best to preserve is our beloved Puratchi Thalaivar MGR's speech in Marina on 17.10.1972. A fiery speech, I have not heard so far. The time is a cruel master the magnetized tape lost its content. So far nobody has uploaded or told about this particular speech of MGR in any social media. 

I used to buy cassettes from my over time money, some cassettes are in working condition and many are not but still it is with me. 

Today's post is about the analog sound storage medium called vinyl record or LP (Long playing) there are lot of collections even now in the house. Recently I came to know that couple of MGR movies LP are sold in eBay site. I found some which I like to share with you.

Above images are from the movie Vivasayi, Neethiku Thalaivanangu These records are still in working condition. 

Not a MGR starer movie but a look alike of MGR has acted in this film. It has six songs and the music is composed by Sanker Ganesh. 

Confucius About Jen (Ren)

Sri MGR Year 100, 3rd October, Tuesday

One of the quotes of Confucius I liked to share in our MGR blog. 

Courtesy, Generosity, Honesty, Persistence and Kindness

If you are:

Courteous - You will not be disrespected

Generous - You will gain everything. 

Honest - People will rely on you. 

Persistence - You will get results. 

Kindness - You can employ people.

I don't have to tell you that anyone can find all these five features of Jen (Ren) in our Puratchi Thalaivar MGR's life. With kindness showered by MGR, he does not need people to employ rather they worked for him unconditionally. 

Stunt Union

Sri MGR Year 100, 24th September, Sunday

South Indian Cine and TV Stunt Directors and Stunt Artiste union 50th anniversary was celebrated on 26.8.2017 in Nehru Indoor Stadium, Chennai. 

Our Puratchi Thalaivar MGR's bodyguard and one of the stunt actor in MGR movies have given a detailed speech about the formation of Stunt union and the person behind. In the video embedded below, K.P.Ramakrishnan narrates how MGR helped the stunt actors when they met with accident. And also he mentions MGR's benevolence extended to Hindi stunt actors. 

The video was forwarded K.P.Ramakrishnan's son Govindaraj to share in our MGR blog. 

Everlasting Verse

Sri MGR Year 100, 14th September, Thursday

Most of you think that what I have written is spoken by MGR on screen. No it is not, what I have written is said by MGR off screen.

R.K.Shanmugam 
Dialog writer & Assistant Director

The above was said by R.K.Shanmugam during the Silver Jubilee function for Ayirathil Oruvan held in Kamaraj Arangam on September 1st 2014. 

The legendary and everlasting verses written by R.K.Shanmugam in movies such as Ayirathil Oruvan, Rickshawkaran, Pallandu Vazhga, Neethiku Thalaivanangu etc. breathed his last yesterday. We srimgr.com team wishes his soul to rest in peace and express our deepest sympathies to his family. 

I was blessed to have meet him and spoke to him for half an hour during the Ayirathil Oruvan function. I was waiting outside for my friends as R.K.Shanmugam came by. The function has started and there was no one to welcome him. I and another MGR fan (not introduced to him) took him arm by arm as R.K.Shanmugam was not well to walk alone. We both accompanied him to the hall, he asked us to give some time to regain his breath. Then he spoke to me about his relationship with MGR and MGR always call him as "Asiriyar" and not by name. Our beloved Leader Puratchi Thalaivar gave utmost respect to learned people. 

(Above image is from Mr.Jayaprakash, Facebook page)

He talked about MGR's and Jayalalitha's help to him, as he was mentioning his eyes welled up, so much emotional he became on remembering MGR. I accompanied him to the front row reserved to VIP's. On that day I believed MGR's spirit gave me that golden opportunity to converse with him and hold him to the stage. 

Below the War of words the best one liners from Ayirathil Oruvan. Uploaded by Jai Sankar in you tube. 

Madras Harbour - 1983

Sri MGR Year 100, 2nd September, Saturday

One of my client Mr.Bose who was a Burma repatriate and who worked and retired as Superintendent in Madras Port Trust had given me some images relating to the inaugural ceremony of new container berth at the cost of 40 Crores (in 1983) attended by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and our beloved Leader Puratchi Thalaivar MGR. 

(Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, MGR welcoming the Prime Minister of India Indira Gandhi on her visit to Madras on 18.12.1983)

The function was held on 18th December 1983. Recently while going through my scan collection I happened to see the above news. I have already published the colour images of the function 8 years before, the link is given separately.

In the function Prime Minister inaugurated the new container berth and Chief Minister MGR launched new Fishing Harbour on the north side of the port. As per protocol MGR spoke before Indira Gandhi, below is the speech given by MGR in the function. 

Earlier Post about this function with rare images:

Bose's MGR

Magical Charisma

Sri MGR Year 100, 23rd August, Wednesday

The year 2017 is the birth centenary of our beloved Leader Puratchi Thalaivar MGR, not only Tamil Nadu celebrated but the Tamil world honoured. Below is a lengthy article written by DBS Jeyaraj and which is published in "Daily Mirror".

January 17, 2017 was declared a holiday in the Southern Tamil Nadu State of India. This was to acknowledge and celebrate the birth centenary of Marudur Gopalan Ramachandran or MG Ramachandran who served as chief minister of Tamil Nadu for 10 years from 1977 to 1987. It is the political party he founded in 1972 -- the All India Anna-Dravida Munnetra Kazhagham -- that is in power today in the State. Various events were held throughout Tamil Nadu to honour the memory of a larger-than-life personality known to millions of people by three letters of the English alphabet denoting the initials of his names - MGR.

MGR though ethnically a Malayalee made a name for himself as an actor in Tamil films and followed it up by becoming the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu State. MGR who started acting in minor roles from 1936 got his major break as lead actor in 1947. Thereafter for 30 years till 1977 he was the uncrowned king of Tamil cinema as the biggest box office attraction of them all. The swashbuckling actor starred as an action hero in more than 100 Tamil films. In a film career spanning four decades from 1936 to 1978, MGR acted in 136 films. Most of his movies minted money at the box-office. This was the time when the magical initials MGR was a household name in the Tamil-speaking homes of countries with a substantial population of Tamils, including India, Malaysia, Singapore and Sri Lanka. MGR had a huge following of fans in Sri Lanka during the time he sparkled on the silver screen. Among his fans in the Island were a large number of Sinhalese and Muslims too.

Click Here to read DBS Jeyaraj column.

Flag Hoisting Ceremony

Sri MGR Year 100, 15th August, Tuesday

Today is the 70th Independence day of our country. And we wish to convey our wishes to all our blog readers and MGR fans around the world. 

Couple of months back I traveled to Kerala and met my father's friend who had settled after his retirement from government service. I had already posted some pictures given by him in our MGR blog. For this special occasion I had planned to publish all the photos of our beloved Leader Puratchi Thalaivar MGR hoisting the tri colour in Fort St.George from 1977 to 1987. 

While I was scanning the newspaper cuttings in one computer centre the person who did the work asked me in Malayalam "E- alau marichu poi ethoraiyo kollam ayi, pinney endina ithu" (this person has died so long ago what you are going to do with this) I replied in English "for you he is a dead person but for us (Tamils) he is still living in our hearts". 

Philosophical song from Ananda Jothi

MGR's first Term in Office from 1977 to 1980:

Kottaiyele Namathu Kodi Paranthida Vendum (our flag must fly in the fort) - song from Maduraiyai Meeta Sundarapandian

MGR's Second term in Office 1980 to 1984:

After his illness and recuperation, MGR returned to India and took office from 1985 to 1987.

MGR's third term in Office from 1985 to 1987:

In 1985, instead of the Chief Minister, the Finance Minister V.R.Nedunchezhiyan hoisted the flag, and in 1986 MGR hoisted the flag for the last time. And in the year 1987 our beloved Leader Puratchi Thalaivar MGR left for medical check up in August 8th 1987 to New York, US. 

Netru Indru Nalai

Sri MGR Year 100, 7th August, Monday

Amalraj Pictures hit movie of 1974 Netru Indru Nalai is re-released this week in Mahalakshmi theatre. I took couple of pictures outside the hall. I like to share one which is posted below.

Apart from our beloved Leader Puratchi Thalaivar MGR's double action roles the movie has many political dialogues and mesmerizing songs. In one song "Thambi Naan" MGR's political party's first electoral victory was recorded. Posted below is the MGR's philosophical song hinting on DMK's political atrocities of 70s.

"மக்கள் நலம் மக்கள் நலம் என்றே சொல்லுவார்

தம் மக்கள் நலம் ஒன்றேதான் மனதில் கொள்ளுவார்

வீடுகெல்லாம் வெளிச்சம் போட கொடுத்த பணத்திலே

தாங்கள் வெளிச்சம் போட்டு வாழ்ந்து விட்டார் நகர சபையிலே

ஏழைக்கெல்லாம் வீடு என்று திட்டம் தீட்டினார்

தாங்கள் வாழ்வதற்கு ஊர் பணத்தில் வீடு கட்டினார்"

Video from youtube.

Adimai Penn 2017 - III

Sri MGR Year 100, 26th July, Wednesday

The digitized Adimai Penn 2017 is running successfully for second week in theatres in Chennai, Salem (Geethalaya 2nd Week) and Tirupur. 

Our Puratchi Thalaivar double action starrer Adimai Penn was released in Nellai, Vellore (Raja), Tiruvannamalai (VBC) and Gudiyatham (Little Lakshmi) this week. Last week the movie was released in 17 theatres in Chennai, 3 in Coimbatore, 4 in Pondicherry and 2 in Salem. The movie is shown as 4 shows in Abirami theatre as combined week. 

(Image forwarded by Yukesh Babu)

This week Madurai fans are excited watching Vengaiyan in action, released in Cini Priya. One of MGR devotee Manohar has forwarded some video clippings and images to share in our blog. Due to time constraint I hereby share one image from the cine hall.

(Image forwarded by Manohar, Madurai)

Some theatre informations are shared by Bangalore Vinod.

Adimai Penn 2017 - II

Sri MGR Year 100, 18th July, Tuesday

On the 100th year of our beloved Leader Puratchi Thalaivar MGR's birth centenary, many of his movies were digitised and released. Recently Emgeeyar Pictures movie Adimai Penn was digitised and released on 14.7.2017 all over Tamil Nadu. The response was awesome as the picture is sharper and looks new. 

I watched many of the video clippings posted by MGR fans in social media and I was mesmerized on seeing our MGR on screen. How handsome and charming he is. Can't believe that he was 52 years old at that time. Above video clipping is by MGR devotee Sathya captured during the Sunday evening show. 

Devi theatre showing Adimai Penn banner along with other new movies release. Image forwarded by MGR Devotee Yukesh Babu.

Garlands galore! image courtesy MGR Devotee Sathya

Matinee and Evening show of Adimai Penn was full in Sarada theatre, Tirupur. Image forwarded by MGR Devotee Tirupur Ravichandran. 

Adimai Penn was housefull in Chennai on Sunday in following theatres, Luxe, AGS and Devi. 650 seats occupied in Albert. 

A video clipping of Adimai Penn title scene from facebook of Mr.Elangovan.

Adimai Penn Title Scene

Adimai Penn 2017

Sri MGR Year 100, 10th July, Monday

Emgeeyar Pictures and our beloved leader Puratchi Thalaivar MGR's magnum opus movie of 1969, Adimai Penn is been digitally remastered with 4K resolution and is ready to be released this month. "The Rishi Movies" have announced that the movie will be released on July 7th. But the film was not released. 

Above are two lovely ads placed in Daily Thanthi newspaper. The look of MGR is mesmerizing. 

MGR In Malaysia 1970 - II

Sri MGR Year 100, 3rd July, Monday

Our beloved Leader Puratchi Thalaivar MGR visited Malaysia in 1970 after shooting some scenes in Expo 70 Japan. I have been very fortunate to have access to some of the rare images of MGR visiting Malaysia during the shooting of Ulagam Sutrum Valiban. I like to say that one of my friend Sree Sitharan have shared his treasure with us in 2013 and which was uploaded as 100th post in srimgr.com blog in the year 2013. 

Recently my another friend from Malaysia Govindaraj Arumugam had sent me two images relating to MGR visit in 1970. Images from the Malaysian magazine is given below. 

For the detailed post please click the link below.

MGR In Malaysia - I

Science Fiction Movie

Sri MGR Year 100, 29th June, Thursday

Science fiction genre is seldom used in Tamil movies and we all know that our beloved Leader Puratchi Thalaivar MGR had acted in one sci-fi movie "Kalai Arasi" which was released in 1963. Nowadays frequently aired though the movie is more than 50 years but still has the entertainment value. 

Below is the review written for "Kalai Arasi" movie in Indian Express newspaper in April 1963. 

Film stories revolving round "doubles" have been quite numerous on the screen. Sarodi pictures "Kalai Arasi" adds one more to that category of pictures.

A social-cum-fantasy, the film is now running to crowded houses at Plaza, Murugan, Mekala and Jayaraj in the city.

The physical resemblance between two women and the complications it creates are treated here more as an off-shoot of the story than being its main plank.

The central character in the story is a young woman (P.Bhanumathi) who is kidnapped by a man from outer space, and is whisked off to a planet in a flying saucer. There she teaches music to the daughter of a space-king and propagates the cultural heritage of South India to the inhabitants in the planet.

Meanwhile, the father of the girl continues his search for her and through his ward meets another insane girl, looking exactly like his own daughter.

Mohan (M.G.Ramachandran) the college-mate of the zamindar's daughter, takes upon himself to find the girl and after over-powering one of the spacemen, air dashes to the planet in the flying saucer. He finds her and works his way to come down to the earth. How the young man overcomes all his obstacles in the planet and how the identity of the two girls is established, form the climax of the film, which is studded with a plethora of synthetic thrills, stunts and chases.

M.N.Nambiar, P.S.Veerappa, N.S.Narayana Pillai, Rajashree, Kumari Saraswathi, G.Shakuntala, S.R.Janaki, C.T.Rajakantham, Kamala and Mohana are the other members of the cast. 

Directed by A.Kasilingam, the film has all the ingredients that make a successful box office production. 

The film is exceptionally good in outdoor and trick photography, for which credit goes to the cinematographer J.G.Vijayam. Music by K.V.Mahadevan is good.